[0001] The present invention is a patio umbrella that includes a fuel-burning radiant heater
and a dining table.
[0002] It frequently happens that outdoor temperature ranges from comfortably warm at mid-day
to chilly in the evenings. The comfortable mid-day temperatures are an incentive for
restaurant owners to provide facilities for outdoor patio dining. However, construction
of such facilities is predicated on their efficient use, which is somewhat marginal
unless steps are taken to insure the comfort of the customers throughout a substantial
portion of the entire day, including the cooler hours.
[0003] To this end, outdoor patios are often provided with radiant heaters that burn natural
gas or propane gas. Heaters of this type are available from a number of manufacturers.
A typical heater of this type is approximately 93 inches tall. The combustion chamber
is supported by a hollow column that extends upward from the floor, and a reflector
in the shape of an inverted dish is located above the combustion chamber for the purpose
of reflecting radiant heat downward that would otherwise travel skyward.
[0004] Ordinarily, when radiant heaters are installed on a patio, they are placed between
the tables where they become an obstacle for the service employees and for the customers
alike. To provide adequate space for passage around the heaters, the tables must be
more widely spaced, thereby rendering the patio less efficient.
[0005] Because the outdoor daytime temperature may be quite warm and because the patio may
be subjected to direct sunshine, it is desirable to protect the customers from the
direct sunshine by providing a large umbrella, often called a beach umbrella or patio
umbrella. Such umbrellas typically measure 6 to 8 feet across, and they are not generally
practical where high wind speeds prevail.
[0006] The present invention is one solution to the many problems that must be considered
in combining a radiant heater with a large umbrella. It does not appear that such
a combination has successfully been made prior to the present invention.
The Prior Art
[0007] In U.S. Patent No. 3,295,473 issued January 3, 1967, Wentworth describes a table
mounted on the vertical shaft of a large umbrella, but there is no heater. Likewise,
in U.S. Patent No. 3,624,732 issued November 30, 1971, Bowden also shows a vertically-adjustable
table mounted on the vertical shaft of a large umbrella. Again, no suggestion of supplying
heat is given.
[0008] In U.S. Patent No. 3,739,792 issued June 19, 1973, Holland describes a hand-carried
rain umbrella in which the ribs of the umbrella incorporate electric heating elements
that are operated by batteries within the shaft of the umbrella. Because this umbrella
does not use a heater in which combustion occurs, the problems inherent in this umbrella
are different from those encountered in the present invention.
[0009] In U.S. Patent No. 3,625,235 issued December 7, 1971 to Gorgichuk, there is shown
a spherical shelter in which a stove sits on the floor, and a stovepipe extends vertically
upward and through a hole at the top of the structure. Likewise, in U.S. Patent No.
4,844,108 issued July 4, 1989, Rohrer shows a tent containing a stove. The stove is
located near the floor, and the tent is supported by a hollow vertical central column
that serves as a chimney for the stove. A similar arrangement is shown in U.S. Patent
No. 2,601,865 issued July 1, 1952 to Campbell.
[0010] In the patents of Gorgichuk, of Rohrer, and of Campbell, the stove is located on
the ground or floor, and the top part of the stovepipe, which is nearest the tent,
is far enough from the stove that the temperature of the top of the stovepipe is no
great concern.
[0011] The following four patents show designs for poultry brooders: U.S. Patent No. 1,584,877
issued May 18, 1926 to McCorkle; U.S. Patent No. 2,985,137 issued May 23, 1961 to
Horne; U.S. Patent No. 3,349,752 issued October 31, 1967; and, U.S. Patent No. 4,614,166
issued September 30, 1986 to Maurice. These patents show the use of a metal hood to
reflect radiant heat downward onto the chicks. These patents do not show a cloth umbrella
that can be opened and closed at will, and they do not suggest how the structure of
such an umbrella can be integrated into the structure of the poultry brooder. Chicks
in a brooder appear to have little interest in coming into contact with the hot metal
parts of the brooder; however, humans on a restaurant patio can be expected to handle
various parts ofthe umbrella frame. This is a problem not faced by brooder designers.
[0012] As the present inventors set out to combine an outdoor radiant combustion heater
with a patio type umbrella for use in a restaurant environment, they were immediately
faced by a number of severe problems.
[0013] The most obvious problem confronting the inventors was how to prevent the cloth canopy
of the umbrella from overheating and either scorching or burning. In the preferred
embodiment, the canopy of the umbrella is composed of a heavy fire-resistant canvas-like
cloth, which nonetheless is susceptible to heat damage if subjected to a sufficiently
high temperature.
[0014] Equally serious however was the problem of preventing the metallic umbrella frame
structure from overheating and burning the hands of curious patrons. Also, a way had
to be found to prevent the umbrella from being closed while the burner is still in
operation.
[0015] A severe mechanical problem arose from the fact that the combustion chamber of the
heater needed to occupy the space normally occupied by the hub of the umbrella.
[0016] Still other problems involved the flow of air. It was desired to retain the vent
opening between the upper and lower canopies, which enables the umbrella to withstand
stronger winds. Also, it was not apparent how to provide a supply of fresh air to
the burner and to dispose of the hot products of combustion.
[0017] The present invention solves all ofthe aforementioned problems and the final product
is safe and reliable.
Disclosure of Invention
[0018] In accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, a multielement
structure solves the mechanical problems, the thermal problems, and the air flow problems
that are faced when one tries to integrate an infrared radiation combustion heater
with a large flammable cloth umbrella. The heater includes a base from which a hollow
steel column extends vertically. The vertical column encloses a fuel line and is surmounted
by a housing that encloses a combustion chamber. Heaters of this type are widely available
commercially. As supplied by the manufacturer, a small reflector, shaped like an inverted
dish, rests directly on the top ofthe combustion chamber housing. The present invention
also employs a reflector, but it is supported above the heater housing on several
legs that space the reflector from the heater housing. The reflector of the present
invention converges upwardly to an opening to promote an upward flow of air through
the space between the reflector and the heater housing so as to dispose of the hot
products of combustion. In contrast, in the conventional heater, where no umbrella
cloth is involved, there is a tendency for the hot products of combustion to be retained
under the reflector.
[0019] A frusto-pyramidal upper canopy support, formed of sheet metal, supports the upper
canopy and imparts a pyramidal shape to it. The sheet metal upper canopy support is
located above the reflector and is spaced from the reflector by insulative ceramic
spacers, which greatly reduce the flow of heat from the reflector to the upper canopy
support. Also, the space between the upper canopy support and the reflector provides
a passage through which heated air may rise to a central opening. The rising hot products
of combustion tend to draw air upwardly through this passage, whereby air that has
become heated by the reflector and the heater housing is discharged and continually
replaced by a stream of cooler air. In this way, the sheet metal upper canopy support
is kept cool by three techniques, as follows. First, the upper canopy support lies
in the shadow cast by the reflector and therefore the radiant heat falling on it is
greatly reduced. Secondly, conduction of heat from the reflector to the upper canopy
support is greatly reduced by the insulative ceramic spacers. Thirdly, an upwardly
rising stream of cool air tends to cool the upper canopy support. These three effects
work together to keep the upper canopy support at a sufficiently low temperature that
there is no danger of scorching the upper canopy which lies on the upper surface of
the upper canopy support.
[0020] The mechanical problems involved in integrating a combustion heater into a large
cloth umbrella are formidable. Most umbrellas have a number of ribs that converge
to pivot points that are located on a central hub. Unfortunately, for symmetry, the
combustion chamber needs to be located in the space normally occupied by the central
hub of the umbrella. Also, it initially appeared that the presence of the reflector
would prevent the closing of the umbrella.
[0021] The present inventors solved this problem by abandoning the central hub and by pivotally
attaching the upper ends of the ribs of the umbrella to brackets attached to and extending
outward from the reflector. Only the lower canopy portion of the umbrella opens and
closes. The upper canopy retains its pyramidal shape as the umbrella is closed.
[0022] Because the heated umbrella of the present invention is intended for use on patios
and restaurant dining areas where many people, including children, may be present,
it is not sufficient that it be designed so that the cloth canopy does not burst into
flames. It is also necessary that those parts of the structure that can be reached
by the people must be maintained at a safe temperature--that is, a temperature that
will permit the reachable portions to be touched safely. This criterion has been met
by the design of the present invention, which safely integrates a fuel-burning heater
into a cloth umbrella.
[0023] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both
as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages
thereof, will be better understood from the following description considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is
illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the
drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0024]
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the deck umbrella
with radiant heater of the present invention, partially cut away to show the internal
structure;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a fractional elevational cross sectional view of the embodiment of Figure
1 taken in the direction 3--3 indicated in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a fractional front elevational cross sectional view of the embodiment
of Figure 1 taken in the direction 4--4 indicated in Figure 2; and,
Figure 5 is a fractional front elevational cross sectional view of the embodiment
of Figure 1 showing the umbrella in the closed configuration and partially cut away
to show the internal structure.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0025] Figure 1 shows the main parts of the patio umbrella in a preferred embodiment. In
that embodiment, the umbrella is approximately eight feet in diameter and approximately
nine feet high. The umbrella includes a base 12. In the preferred embodiment, plumbing
for natural gas is brought into the base from beneath the floor. In another embodiment,
the base contains a tank of fuel, such as butane or propane, which permits the entire
unit to be portable. The base 12 supports a table top 14, used for dining. A hollow
steel column 16 extends vertically out of the base, through the table top, and upward
to support a combustion chamber 18. The hollow column 16 encloses a fuel line through
which the fuel is brought to the combustion chamber.
[0026] The umbrella is shown in its open configuration in Figure 1, and Figure 5 shows it
in the closed configuration. The canopy of the umbrella includes an upper centrally
located canopy 20 and a lower canopy 22 that surrounds the upper canopy 20. The lower
edge of the upper canopy slightly overlaps the upper edge of the lower canopy to facilitate
runoff of moisture, but a vent opening is maintained between the upper canopy and
the lower canopy to relieve air pressure differences which winds may cause.
[0027] Figure 2 is a top view of the umbrella of Figure 1 and shows the directions in which
the views of Figures 3 and 4 are taken.
[0028] As seen in Fig. 3, the upper canopy 20 lies on top of and is supported by the upper
canopy support 24. As suggested by Fig. 2, the upper canopy support is a sheet metal
structure having a frusto-pyramidal shape and formed from six identical four-sided
sections that are joined along their lateral edges. The upper canopy support 24 is
affixed to the reflector 28 by six insulative spacers, of which the spacer 26 is typical.
Not only do the spacers 26 support the upper canopy support 24, but in addition, they
maintain a space 30 between the upper canopy support 24 and the reflector 28, while
at the same time defeating conduction of heat from the reflector 28 to the upper canopy
support 24. The space between the upper edge of the upper canopy support and the reflector
is important to permit the upward discharge of air that has become heated and flows
upwardly through the space 30. This upward flow helps to prevent convective heating
of the upper canopy support 24, thereby helping to keep the upper canopy cool.
[0029] The reflector 28 is a hollow sheet metal structure which surrounds the upper portion
of the combustion chamber 18, much like a lampshade surrounds an electric light bulb.
The reflector 28 is connected the combustion chamber 18 by six legs, of which the
leg 32 is typical. The legs 32 maintain a spacing between the reflector 28 and the
combustion chamber 18, and cooler air is drawn upward through that space 36 helping
to cool the reflector 28. Because the legs 32 are closer to the combustion chamber
18 and farther from the upper canopy, there was no advantage in making the legs of
an insulative material.
[0030] Figure 3 is convenient to illustrate some of the techniques by which the present
inventors addressed the thermal problems that could result from combining a combustion
heater with a cloth umbrella.
[0031] Conduction of heat is minimized by making the cross section of the legs 32 (perpendicular
to the direction of heat flow) as small as possible consistent with the mechanical
loads that the legs must support. Conduction between the reflector 28 and the upper
canopy support 24 is minimized by the use of the insulative spacers 26. In the preferred
embodiment, the spacers 26 are composed of a ceramic material, and they include blind
threaded holes at either end to avoid any metallic conduction path between the reflector
28 and the upper canopy support 24. In these ways the conduction of heat between the
combustion chamber 18 and the upper canopy support 24 is minimized by the present
invention.
[0032] Radiative transfer is minimized by placing the upper canopy support 24 in the shadow
of the reflector 28. The reflector 28 disposes of a significant part ofthe radiation
from the combustion chamber 18 by reflecting the radiation downward toward the space
surrounding the table top 14, where the radiation imparts a comfortable warmth to
persons sitting there. The under side of the upper canopy support 24 also reflects
radiant heat, thereby further helping to keep the upper canopy cool.
[0033] A third way in which inventors addressed the thermal problems was by an ingenious
use of convection. The hot products of combustion are discharged from the side of
the combustion chamber 18, and they rise through the chimney portion 34 of the reflector
28. In doing so, they create an updraft in the space 36 between the combustion chamber
18 and the reflector 28. Were it not for this space 36, the air would be trapped between
the combustion chamber and the reflector 28 and this air would become heated to a
very high temperature, thereby causing the reflector to become much hotter than it
does in the present design. Similarly, by not connecting the upper canopy support
to the chimney portion 34 of the reflector, the present inventors made it possible
for hot air to be discharged upwardly along the chimney portion 34, as indicated by
the arrows in Figure 3. As the hot air is discharged upwardly, it is replaced by cooler
upwardly-flowing air. Again, this helps to keep the upper canopy support 24 at an
acceptable temperature.
[0034] Although protection of the upper canopy was more critical, because of its closeness
to the combustion chamber and its position above the combustion chamber, protection
of the lower canopy was also necessary. Unlike the upper canopy which is supported
on the upper canopy support 24, the lower canopy simply spans the space between the
ribs of the umbrella. The lower canopy must remain pliable so that the umbrella can
be closed. Even though the lower canopy is farther from the combustion chamber than
the upper canopy is, the present inventors found that the upper portion of the lower
canopy required protection from heat damage. As best seen in Figure 4, they accomplished
this by lining the upper portion of the lower canopy, on the side facing the combustion
chamber, with a layer 38 ofaluminized reflective fire-resistant fabric. This fabric,
which has a silvery metallic appearance was originally developed for use in the space
program. It combines high reflectivity (on the order of 90 per cent) with pliability
and durability. The inventors found that the reflection caused by the lining 38 was
sufficient to prevent overheating of the lower canopy. Radiative transfer of heat
to the lower canopy is the only significant mode of heat transfer; the distances and
disposition of the structure are such that convective and conductive modes are not
significant. In addition to protecting the lower canopy from overheating, the reflective
lining 38 also reflects radiant heat downward onto the table top and diners.
[0035] The lining 38 also serves to protect the lower canopy 22 in the event the umbrella
is closed while the combustion chamber 18 is hot; for example, if the umbrella is
closed immediately after the burner has been extinguished, before the combustion chamber
has had time to cool.
[0036] As seen in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken in the plane of one
of the ribs 40 of the umbrella. While Figure 3 was useful in discussing the thermal
aspects of the invention, Figure 4 is more useful in illustrating how the present
inventors solved the mechanical problems inherent in integrating a combustive heater
with an umbrella.
[0037] The presence of the combustion chamber 18 and its associated reflector 28 presented
the critical problems of: where to attach the upper ends of the ribs; and, how to
permit the umbrella to be closed without the ribs interfering with the reflector 28.
[0038] The present inventors solved this problem by affixing six brackets, of which the
bracket 42 is typical, to the reflector 28. The brackets are riveted to the reflector
and extend outwardly and downwardly parallel to the ridge lines of the canopy. The
upper end of the rib 40 is attached to the lower end of the bracket 42 by the pin
44, which permits the rib 40 to pivot up and down as the umbrella is opened and closed.
The pin 44 is located further from the center of the umbrella than the reflector 28,
and therefore the reflector does not interfere mechanically with the rib. The rib
40 is supported in the open position by the arm 46, which is pivotally attached to
the rib 40 by the pin 48. The lower end of the arm 46 is pivotally attached to a sleeve
50 that slides up and down on the column 16. The use of a sliding sleeve and a support
arm pivotally connected to the rib are recognized as old. The innovation of the present
inventors was in attaching the top end of the rib to a stationary bracket affixed
to the reflector 28 and in extending the pivot point 44 for the rib outward beyond
the reflector. In this way, the reflector does not interfere with the ribs, even when
the umbrella is in its closed configuration, as shown in Figure 5.
[0039] This technique of mounting the ribs produced another advantage. Even when the umbrella
is in the folded configuration of Figure 5, the canopy does not extend downwardly
far enough to intrude into the space between the persons seated around the table top
14, and thus does not block their view or interfere with the serving of food. In the
preferred embodiment, when the umbrella is in the closed configuration, the lower
edge of the canopy remains about two feet above the table top 14.
[0040] It is evident from Figure 4, that much of the weight of the canopy and ribs is diverted
through the arm 46 to the sleeve 50. Accordingly, the legs 32 are not required to
support the entire weight of the canopy and ribs. This is what permits the legs to
have a relatively small cross sectional area. Also, because of the symmetry of the
umbrella, static lateral loads on the legs 32 are relatively small.
[0041] Also visible in Figure 5 is the actuator arm 52 of a microswitch. The actuator arm
extends through the wall of the hollow column 16 and is actuated by the sleeve 50
as the sleeve passes over it. The microswitch, located within the hollow column 16,
is turned on by upward passage of the sleeve 50 over the actuator 52 and the microswitch
is turned off by downward passage of the sleeve 50 over the actuator 52. The microswitch
is connected to the fuel valve in such a way that closing of the umbrella extinguishes
the combustion, which remains disabled until the microswitch is again actuated by
upward passage of the sleeve 50 as the umbrella is again opened.
[0042] The controls of the heater have been simplified. In addition to the aforesaid safety
feature, the only other control is a knob 54 that is connected to a timer. Combustion
is possible only when the timer is counting down. Thus, when the diners are first
seated, the waiter can initiate combustion by turning the knob 54. No further attention
is required, because when the timer has run out, the combustion ceases. This energy-saving
feature has proven to be highly convenient; it is not necessary to remember to turn
the heater off.
[0043] In practice, the measures taken by the inventors to solve the thermal and mechanical
problems inherent in integrating the combustion heater with the cloth umbrella have
proven to be quite successful. The hottest reachable portion of the arm 46 is warm
to the touch, but definitely not hot enough to cause a burn when touched.
[0044] Thus, there has been described the successful integration of a fuel-burning radiant
heater into a patio umbrella having a cloth canopy. This increases the time during
which patio dining may be enjoyed, because the heaters can be used when the weather
is cool, and the umbrellas can be used for protection against the sun. The combination
is superior to having separate umbrellas and heaters, because in the latter case the
heaters take up valuable floor space and impede the flow of foot traffic.
Industrial Applicability
[0045] The umbrella of the present invention has successfully solved the mechanical problems,
the thermal problems, and the air flow problems that arise from attempting to integrate
a fuel-burning radiant heater into a large flammable cloth patio umbrella. Some of
the techniques used to solve these problems may also find use in the design of industrial
heaters and related apparatus.
1. Ein Terrassenschirm, der in der Lage ist, Strahlungswärme in seiner Umgebung vorzusehen,
gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass der Schirm eine Brennstoff verbrennende Strahlungsheizvorrichtung aufweist, und zwar
mit einer Basis (12), mit einer hohlen Säule (16), die sich von der Basis (12) nach
oben erstreckt, mit einer Tischoberfläche über der Basis (12) und die hohle Säule
umgebend, und mit einer Verbrennungskammer (18), die am oberen Ende der hohlen Säule
befestigt ist, wobei der Terrassenschirm des Weiteren Folgendes aufweist:
einen Reflektor (28), der nach oben zusammenläuft, um einen Kaminteil (34) zu bilden;
Mittel zum Tragen des Reflektors (28) über der Verbrennungskammer und von ihr beabstandet,
so dass heiße Verbrennungsprodukte, die aus der Verbrennungskammer (18) aufsteigen,
durch den Kaminteil (34) des Reflektors (28) aufwärts hindurchgehen, wodurch kalte
Luft nach oben durch den Raum zwischen der Verbrennungskammer und dem Reflektor (28)
gezogen wird, wodurch der Reflektor gekühlt wird;
einen oberen Schirmdachträger (24), der nach oben von einer Unterkante zu einer Öffnung
zusammenläuft, die den Kaminteil (34) des Reflektors umgibt und von ihm beabstandet
ist;
Isoliermittel zum Tragen des oberen Schirmdachträgers (34) in dem vom Reflektor geworfenen
Schatten in der von der Heizvorrichtung emittierten Strahlungsenergie, über und von
dem Reflektor (28) beabstandet, so dass Luft, die in dem Raum zwischen dem Reflektor
und dem oberen Schirmdachträger (24) erwärmt wurde, aufwärts durch den Raum hindurchgehen
kann und aufwärts zwischen dem oberen Schirmdachträger (24) und dem Kaminteil (34)
des Reflektors (28) entweichen kann, wodurch kalte Luft aufwärts in den Raum gezogen
wird, wodurch der obere Schirmdachträger (24) gekühlt wird.
2. Der Terrassenschirm nach Anspruch 1, des Weiteren gekennzeichnet durch ein unteres Schirmdach (22), das sich nach unten und nach außen von der Unterkante
des oberen Schirmdachträgers erstreckt, und des Weiteren eine Auskleidung (38) an
der Innenseite des unteren Schirmdachs aufweist, wobei die Auskleidung aus einem reflektierenden
biegsamen Material zusammengesetzt ist, um von der Heizvorrichtung emittierte Strahlungsenergie
weg von dem unteren Schirmdach zu reflektieren, wodurch ein Überheizen des unteren
Schirmdachs verhindert wird.
3. Der Terrassenschirm nach Anspruch 1, des Weiteren
gekennzeichnet durch:
einen Bügel (42), der am Reflektor (28) befestigt ist und einen Teil besitzt, der
sich nach außen über den Reflektor hinaus erstreckt;
eine Rippe (40), die sich nach unten und nach außen erstreckt;
Rippenschwenkmittel zum verschwenkbaren Befestigen der Rippe an dem Bügel, wobei die
Rippenschwenkmittel außen über den Reflektor hinaus gelegen sind, so dass, wenn die
Rippe von einer offenen Position zu einer geschlossenen Position schwenkt, sie dem
Reflektor nicht in die Quere kommt.
4. Der Terrassenschirm nach Anspruch 3, des Weiteren
gekennzeichnet durch:
eine Hülse (50), die die hohle Säule umgibt und gleitbar ist entlang der hohlen Säule
von einer untersten Position, die eingenommen wird, wenn sich der Terrassenschirm
in einer geschlossenen Position befindet, zu einer höchsten Position, die eingenommen
wird, wenn sich der Terrassenschirm in einer vollständig geöffneten Konfiguration
befindet;
wobei die hohle Säule (16) Teile umfasst, welche ein vertikal so gelegenes Loch definieren,
dass das Loch abwechselnd von der Hülse bedeckt und freigelegt wird, wenn die Hülse
zwischen ihren untersten und höchsten Positionen angehoben und abgesenkt wird;
einen Arm (4) mit einem oberen Ende, das verschwenkbar an der Rippe befestigt ist,
und einem unteren Ende, das verschwenkbar an der Hülse befestigt ist;
einen elektrischen Schalter, der in der hohlen Säule gelegen ist und einen Betätigerarm
umfasst, der sich nach außen durch das Loch in der hohlen Säule erstreckt, so dass ein Durchgehen der Hülse über den
Betätigerarm den elektrischen Schalter betätigt.
1. Parasol de jardin apte à fournir un chauffage par rayonnement à son voisinage,
caractérisé en ce que le parasol comprend un moyen de chauffage par rayonnement brûlant un carburant comportant
un support (12) muni d'une colonne creuse (16) s'étendant vers le haut à partir du
support (12), ayant un sommet en forme de table au dessus du support (12) et entourant
la colonne creuse, et comportant une chambre de combustion (18) fixée au sommet de
la colonne creuse, le parasol de jardin comprenant en outre :
un réflecteur (28) convergeant vers le haut pour former une partie de cheminée (34)
;
un moyen pour porter le réflecteur (28) au dessus et à l'écart de la chambre de combustion
(18) de sorte que la chaleur produite par la combustion montant de la chambre de combustion
(18) passe vers le haut à travers la partie de cheminée (34) du réflecteur (28), attirant
ainsi l'air froid dans l'espace entre la chambre de combustion et le réflecteur (28),
d'où il résulte que le réflecteur est refroidi ;
un support de voûte supérieur (24) convergeant vers le haut à partir d'un bord inférieur
vers une ouverture qui entoure la partie de cheminée (34) du réflecteur et en est
espacée ;
un moyen isolant pour porter le support de voûte supérieur (24) dans l'ombre projetée
par le réflecteur dans l'énergie rayonnante émise par le moyen de chauffage, au dessus
et à l'écart du réflecteur (28) de sorte que l'air qui a été chauffé dans l'espace
entre le réflecteur et le support de voûte supérieur (24) peut passer vers le haut
à travers cet espace et s'échapper vers le haut entre le support de voûte supérieur
(24) et la partie de cheminée (34) du réflecteur (28), attirant ainsi l'air froid
vers le haut dans ledit espace, d'où il résulte que le support de voûte supérieur
(24) est refroidi.
2. Parasol de jardin selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en outre par une voûte inférieure (22) qui s'étend vers le bas et vers l'extérieur à partir du
bord intérieur du support de voûte supérieur et comprenant en outre un revêtement
(38) sur le côté interne de la voûte inférieure, le revêtement étant constitué d'un
matériau réflecteur souple pour réfléchir l'énergie rayonnante émise par le moyen
de chauffage à l'écart de la voûte inférieure, d'où il résulte qu'une surchauffe de
la voûte inférieure est évitée.
3. Parasol de jardin selon la revendication 1,
caractérisé en outre par :
une pièce (42) fixée au réflecteur (28) et comportant une partie qui s'étend vers
l'extérieur au-delà du réflecteur ;
une tige (40) s'étendant vers le bas et vers l'extérieur ;
un moyen de pivotement de tige pour fixer à pivotement la tige à la pièce, le moyen
de pivotement de tige étant disposé vers l'extérieur au-delà du réflecteur de sorte
que, quand la tige pivote d'une position ouverte à une position fermée, elle n'interfère
pas avec le réflecteur.
4. Parasol de jardin selon la revendication 3,
caractérisé en outre par :
un collier (50) entourant la colonne creuse et pouvant coulisser le long de la colonne
creuse d'une position inférieure occupée quand le parasol de jardin est dans une configuration
fermée vers une position supérieure occupée quand le parasol de jardin est dans une
configuration complètement ouverte ;
la colonne creuse (16) comprenant des parties définissant un trou disposé verticalement
de sorte que le trou est alternativement couvert et découvert par le collier tandis
que le collier est monté et abaissé entre ses positions inférieure et supérieure ;
un bras (46) ayant une extrémité supérieure fixée à pivotement à la tige et ayant
une extrémité inférieure fixée à pivotement au collier ;
un commutateur électrique disposé dans la colonne creuse et incluant un bras d'actionnement
qui s'étend vers l'extérieur à travers le trou dans la colonne creuse de sorte que
le passage du collier sur le bras d'actionnement actionne le commutateur électrique.